One-Pan Mushroom and Spinach Pasta with Garlic

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-23 · Updated 2026-04-23

A simple, creamy pasta dish with earthy mushrooms, wilted spinach, and garlic, finished with Parmesan for a satisfying weeknight meal. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 25 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 8 oz, sliced cremini mushrooms
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 4 oz penne pasta for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened, then add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until golden, then stir in 2 cups fresh spinach until wilted. Toss in drained penne, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute until sauce coats pasta.